Scent spray for air conditioners



July 17, 1962 AR BLOWER ATOMIZER AIR PUMP mTu'mer INVENTOR. FRANK KAUTENA FOE/V57 3,944,275 SCENT SPRAY FUR AER CONDETIONERS Frank Kauten, 520W. 110th St., New York, N.Y. Filed Aug. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 133,661 7Claims. (Cl. 62-311) This invention concerns an air treatment apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided an atomizer connected to anair pump and a distributor valve. To the valve are connected a pluralityof tanks or containers of diiierent fluids for air treatment. Suchfluids may be odorants, insecticides, moisturizers, bacteriocides, andthe like. Each containeris provided with an individual -'valve tocontrol the rate of flow of fluid therefrom. The distributor valve ismotor driven and under control of a timer. more containers for passingfluid therefrom to the, atomizer. The atomizer is connected to an airblower, or preferably the fan of a room air conditioner, so that thefluid in atomized form is distributed in the room.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide anapparatus for treatment of air in a room by distribution therein ofatomized liquid.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character describedprovided with timing means for distribut ing the fluid automatically atpredetermined timed intervals.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus as described having adistributor valve, air pump and atomizer controlled by a timer fordistributing treatment liquid in association with an air conditionerunit.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view with parts shown in section of portions ofthe apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through an air conditioner unit showing partsof the apparatus associated therewith according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a distributor valve taken on line5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a coupling memberemployed in the apparatus.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are perspective views of two rotors for distributorvalves.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown :a plurality of containersdesignated S155. Each container has an axially vertical cylindrical body10 and a removable cover 11 having a vent opening 12. In each containeris a quantity of liquid 14 such as an odorant, insecticide, bacteriocideor other liquid adapted for treatment of air in a room. Connected to thebottom of each container is a conduit 16. A manually operable valve 18is fitted on each conduit 16 to adjust the rate of fluid flow from thecontainer. Each conduit 16 terminatesin a different opening or bore 20of a casing 22 of a distributor valve 25. The valve casing is acylindrical member with an axial bore 28 in which is rotatably disposeda cylindrical rotor 30. The rotor has an axial bore 32 connecting with aradial bore 34 disposed to align with bores 35 in the casing, so thateach conduit 16 communicates With bore 32 through bores 34 and 35 whenthe rotor is properly positioned in the casing.

The rotor 30 is provided with a circumferential groo ve The valve may bearranged to select one or ice 36, see FIGS. 3 and 7. In this grooverides a setscrevv or pin 38 seated in a hole 37 in the casing to holdthe rotor rotatably in the casing. The rotor has an axial shaft 40 whichis connected to and driven by a shaft 42 of timer motor 44.

' Bore 32 has an enlarged concave end 32 in which is fitted the roundedend 45 of a stationary conduit 46; see FIGS. 3 and 6. The bore 32communicates with passage 47 in the conduit 46. Extending radially intothe passage 47 is a narrow nozzle end 48 of a pipe 50 which conveys airunder pressure from an air pump 52. The conduit 46 and nozzl 48 togetherconstitute an atomizer A for fluid entering the conduit. The air pump isdriven by a motor 54.

The timer motor 44 is driven continuously and is energized by wires 56connected to power supply terminals 58. Motor 54 has one wire 55connected to one power supply terminal. The other wire is connected toeach of contacts 62 in a timer 65. The timer includes a circulai'insulated disk 66 on which contacts 62 are circumferentially spaced. Thecontacts may have the same or difierent lengths. The timer has anelectrically conductive rotor 64 connected to drive shaft 42 of themotor 44. The rotor 64 carries a radial contact arm 68 which traversesthe contacts 62 in turn as the rotor- 64 turns. Wire 61 is connected torotor 64. The power supply circuit of motor 54 is completed through wire60, contacts 62, contact arm 68 and wire 61 connected to the powersupply.

A conduit 70 is connected from atomizer conduit 48 to the casing 72 ofan air conditioner unit 75. This unit ineludes a refrigeration unit 76and air filter 78, through which air is drawn for cooling by the unit76. A fan 78 driven by a motor 80 causes outside air to blow over orthrough the refrigeration unit for cooling. The conduit 70 has an elbownozzle 71 disposed in the path of the chilled air so that atomizedliquid leaving the nozzle 71 mixes with the chilled air and isdistributed in the room where the air conditioner unit is installed. Ascreen 77 may be placed at the outlet of the air conditioner unit casing72. p

A switch 73 is provided in the timer motor circuit for stopping thismotor. The rotor 30 has on its end an index marl; 31 which can bealigned with any of index marks 33 on the casing; se FIG. 5. Thisarrangement enables the system to discharge fluid from the selectedcontainer continuously.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 is shown another rotor 3t) which permits two or morecontainers to discharge liquid simultaneously into the atomizer. Thisrotor has a plurality of threaded radial bores 34* all communicatingwith axial bore 32*. The bores 34 are threaded and may receiveselectively screw plugs 39 so that one or more bores 34 may be blockedoff. There will, of course, be at least one bore 34 which is not blockedoff for selecting any one of conduits 16. If two or more bores 34 areunplugged, then two or more conduits 16 will discharge liquid to theatomizer simultaneously.

The invention makes it possible to discharge atomized liquids ofdifferent typesor of the same type. For example, all of the containersmay contain diiferent scented odorants. The invention makes it possibleto discharge a single odorant or to discharge a mixture of o-dorants.The invention will operate automatically when once set to dischargeatomized liquids each time the contacts 62 are traversed by the rotorcontact arm 68. At these times the motor 54 will be turned on and theair pump will be operated, to drive atomized liquid through the atomizerto the conduit 70 and the air blower or fan of air conditioner unit 75.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred V the appendedclaims.

I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed andthat various changes and modifications may be made within the scope ofthe invention as defined in Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in thecasing, conduits connecting said containers to bores in the casing, saidrotor having a bore intermittently communicating with the bores in thecasing as the rotor is rotated, a source of compressed air, an atomizerconnected to the bore in the rotor, another conduit connecting saidsource to said atomizer to discharge compressed air therein foratomizing liquid discharged into the atomizer from the rotor, an airconditioner unit including a refrigeration unit and a fan adjacentthereto for drawing cooled air past the refrigeration unit, and afurther conduit connected from said atomizer to said air conditionerunit and terminating adjacent said fan, so that atomized. liquiddischarged by said further conduit is'distributed by said fan with thecooled air. V

2. In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in thecasing, conduits connecting said containers to bores in the casing, saidrotor hava ing a bore intermittently communicating with the bores in thecasing as the rotor is rotated, a source of compressed air, an atomizerconnected to the bore in the rotor, another conduit connecting saidsource to said atomizer to discharge compressed air therein foratomizing liquid' discharged into the atomizer from the rotor, an airconditioner unit including a refrigeration unit and a fan adjacentthereto for drawing cooled air past the refrigeration unit, and afurther conduit connected from said atomizer to said air conditionerunit and terminating adjacent said fan, so that atomized liquiddischarged by said further conduit is distributed by said fan with thecooled air, a timer motor operatively connected to drive the rotorcontinuously, a timing device driven by said timer motor, said sourceincluding an air pump driven by another motor, and electric circuitmeans including said timing device and said other motor for deliveringcompressed air to the atomizer at predetermined times when the bore inthe rotor is aligned with bores in the casing. V V I r 3. In an airtreatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomized liquidscomprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, a distributionvalve having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in the casing,conduits connecting said containers to bores in the casing, said rotorhaving a bore intermittently communicating with the bores in the casingas the rotor is rotated, a source of compressed air, an atomizerconnected to the bore in the rotor, another conduit connectingsaidsource to said atomizer to discharge compressed air therein foratomizing liquid discharged into the atomizer from the rotor, an airconditioner unit including a refrigeration unit and a fan adjacentthereto for drawing cooled air past the refrigeration unit, and afurther conduit connected from said atomizer to said air conditionerunit and terminating adjacent said fan, so that atomized liquiddischarged by said further conduit is distributed by said fan with thecooled air, a timer motor operatively connected todrive the rotorcontinuously, a timing device driven by said timer motor, said sourceincluding an air pump driven by another motor, and electric circuitmeans including said d and manually operable valves in the respectivefirstnamed conduits for adjusting the rate of flow of liquid out of thecontainers.

4. In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus 7 i for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in thecasing, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spacedradial bores, conduits connecting the containers to the boresrespectively, said rotor having another plurality of radial bores and anaxial bore communicating with each of said other radial bores, plugsselectively and removably disposed in certain of said other radial boresso that at least one of said other radial bores communicates with saidaxial bore, said other radial bores being disposed to communicateintermittently With the bores in the casing as the rotor is rotated, asource of compressed air, an atomizer including a stationary pipefitting having one end disposed in said axial bore, -a compressed airdischarging nozzle extending radially 'into said pipe for atomizingliquid entering the pipe, an air blower, and another conduit connectingsaid atomizer and air blower for distributing atomized liquid in an airstream maintained by said air blower.

5. In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve having a stationary casing, -a rotatable rotor in thecasing, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spacedradial bores, conduits connecting the containers to the boresrespectively, said rotor having another plurality of radial bores and anaxial bore communicating with each of said other radial bores, plugsselectively and removably disposed in certain of said other radial boresso that at least one of said other radial bores communicates with saidaxial bore, said other radial bores being disposed to communicateintermittently with the bores in the casing as the rotor is rotated, asource of compressed air, an atomizer including a stationary pipefitting having one end disposed in said axial bore, a compressed airdischarging nozzle extending radially into said pipe, an air blower,another conduit connecting said atomizer to a point near said air blowerfor distributing atomized liquid in an air stream maintained by said airblower, a timer motor operatively connected to drive the rotorcontinuously, a timing device driven by said timer motor, said sourceincluding an air pump driven by another motor, and electric circuitmeans 7 including said timing device and said other motor for deliveringcompressed air to the atomizer at predetermined times'when certain boresin the rotor are aligned with certain bores in the casing.

6.- In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve-having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in thecasing, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spacedradial bores, conduits connecting the containers to the boresrespectively, said rotor having another plurality of radial bores and anaxial bore communicating with each of said other radial bores, plugsselectively and removably disposed in certain of said other radial boresso that at least one of said other radial bores communicates with saidaxial bore, said other radial bores being disposed to communicateintermit-tently with the bores in the casing as the rotor is rotated,23; source of compressed air, an atomizer including a stationary pipefitting having one end disposed in said axial bore,sa compressed airdischarging nozzle extending radially into said pipe, an air blower,another conduit connecting said atomizer to a point near said air blowerfor distributing atomized liquid in an air stream maintained by said airblower, a timer motor operatively connected to drive the rotorcontinuously, a timing device driven by said, timer motor, said sourceincluding an air pump driven by another motor, and electric .circuitmeans including said timing device and said other motor for deliveringcompressed air to the atomizer at predeter- 5 mined times when certainbores in the rotor are aligned with certain bores in the casing, and anair conditioner unit including a refrigeration unit, said air blowerbeing disposed adjacent to said refrigeration unit for drawing cooledair therefrom, whereby the atomized liquid is distributed in a stream ofsaid cooled air.

7. In an air treatment system, a distribution apparatus for atomizedliquids, comprising a plurality of containers of said liquids, adistribution valve having a stationary casing, a rotatable rotor in thecasing, said casing having a' plurality of circumferentially spacedradial bores, conduits connecting the containers to the boresrespectively, said rotor having another plurality of radial bores and anaxial bore communicating with each of said other radial bores, plugsselectively and removably disposed in certain of said other radial boresso that at least one of said other radial bores communicates with saidaxial bore, said other radial bores being disposed to communicateintermittently with the bores in the casing as the rotor is rotated, asource of compressed air, an atomizer including a stationary pipefitting having one end disposed insaid axial bore, a compressed airdischarging nozzle extending radially into said pipe, an air blower,another conduit connecting said atomizer to a point near said air blowerfor distributing atomized liquid in an air stream maintained by said airblower, a timer motor operatively connected to drive the rotorcontinuously, a timing device driven by said timer motor, said sourceincluding an air pump driven by another motor, and electric circuitmeans including said timing device and said other motor for deliveringcompressed air to the atomizer at predetermined times when certain boresin the rotor are aligned with certain bores in the casing, and an airconditioner unit including arefrigeration unit, said air blower beingdisposed adjacent to said refrigeration unit for drawing cooled airtherefrom, whereby the atomized liquid is distributed in a stream ofsaid cooled air, and manually operable valves in the respectivefirst-named conduits for adjusting the rate of flow of liquid out of thecontainers to the distributor valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSRigterink Dec. 19, 1961

